Folding headboard for convertible bed unit



Sept. 25, 1962 PM 3,055,018

FOLDING HEADBOARD FOR CONVERTIBLE BED UNIT Filed NOV. 2, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

Sept. 25, 1962 c. A. PINK FOLDING HEADBOARD FOR CONVERTIBLE BED UNIT Filed Nov. 2, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 States lice This invention relates generally to convertible bed ensemblies and especially to a convertible bed ensemble having a folding headboard.

One common method of constructing convertible bed ensembles involves mounting a bed unit to be pivotal about the front leg of a cooperating table. Furthermore, a bolster is ordinarily mounted to the cooperating table to overlie a side portion of bed unit in the daytime mode.

In such an ensemble, provision of a headboard for the nighttime mode becomes a problem; and in the prior art, this problem has been variously solved by making the bolster vertically swingable to allow passage of the headboard as the bed unit is pivoted from one of its positions to the other, or by cutting away that portion of the headboard otherwise interfering with the bolster.

These constructions have proved to be expensive to manufacture or have resulted in ensembles or unpleasing appearance.

Accordingly, an important object of the invention is to provide a new and improved convertible bed ensemble.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convertible bed ensemble which affords a pleasing appearance and which is inexpensive to manufacture.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved headboard construction for convertible bed ensembles.

Additional objects and features of the invention pertain to the particular structure and arrangements wher by the above objects are attained.

A structure in accordance with the invention includes a table, a bed unit horizontally pivotally mounted to the front leg of the table, a bolster fastened to the table to overlie a side portion of the bed unit in one position, and a folding headboard having a principal portion mounted to the bed unit and a secondary portion swingably mounted to the principal portion.

The invention, both to its structure and mode of operation, will be better understood by reference to the following disclosure and drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible bed ensemble constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the bed unit in the daytime mode;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the convertible bed ensemble of FIG. 1 showing the bed unit in the nighttime mode;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view through the section 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the another convertible bed ensemble constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the bed unit in the daytime mode;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view through the section 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view in cross-section of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, illustrating the headboard in the nighttime mode;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another convertible bed ensemble constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the bed unit in the daytime mode;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view taken through the section 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7, illustrating the daytime mode in solid outline and in the nighttime mode in broken outline;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of yet another convertible bed ensemble constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view taken through the section llll1 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10, illustrating the daytime mode in solid outline and the nighttime mode in broken outline; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, side elevational view in crosssection showing the latch means employed in the embodiment of FIG. 10.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. l-3 includes a bed unit 26 mounted on casters 22 and arranged to be pivotal about the front leg 24 of a table 26. A bolster 28 is aifixed to table 26 and is supported in any suitable manner to overlie a side portion of bed unit 20 in the daytime mode. Advantageously, the top of table 26 is arranged coplanar with the top of bolster 28.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, a headboard unit 30 includes a principal portion 32 rigidly mounted to the bedframe 34 of bed unit 20. Headboard assembly 30 further includes a secondary portion 36 which is vertically swingably mounted to the principal portion 32 by means of oifset hinges 38.

A latch 40 includes a downwardly biased latch bolt 42. which is adapted to engage a cooperating aperture in a flanged tongue affixed to the principal portion 32. Thus, latch 46 secures secondary portion 36 in the upright position. When secondary portion 36 is disposed in this upright position in the daytime mode, it is adapted to be aligned with and underlying a sidewall 44 of table 26.

In order to convert the ensemble of FIGS. 1-3 from the daytime mode to the nighttime mode, it is only necessary to release latch 46 manually, allowing secondary portion 36 to swing downwardly into the position indicated in broken outline in FIG. 3. With the headboard unit 30 so arranged, bed unit 26 may be pivoted outwardly about leg 24 until the headboard unit clears bolster 28. At this time, the secondary portion 36 may be lifted up and manually latched in its upright position. The reverse sequence converts the ensemble from nighttime mode to daytime mode.

Turning now to FIGS. 4-6, a convertible bed ensemble is shown to include a bed unit 59 supported on casters 52 and mounted to be pivotal about the front leg 54 of a table 56. A bolster 58 is advantageously secured to table 56, being supported in any suitable manner.

As is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a headboard unit 66 includes a principal portion 62 and a secondary portion 64. Portion 62 is rigidly mounted to the bedframe 66 of bed unit 56, whereas portion 64 is vertically swingably mounted to portion 62 by means of hinges 68. A spring 70 is aifixed between portions 62 and 64 to bias the portion 64 into a generally upright position, which position is indicated generally in FIG. 6.

As is best shown in FIG. 5, table 56 does ont incorporate sidewalls. Furthermore, the top of table 56 is arranged to be spaced slightly above the surface of bed unit 50. Accordingly, secondary portion 64 can underlie the top of table 56 in the daytime mode.

As will become apparent, the convertible bed ensemble of FIGS. 4-6 can be converted from the daytime mode to the nighttime mode by pivoting bed unit 56 about table leg 54, secondary portion 64 being concomitantly pivoted beneath bolster 58. When portion 64 clears bolster 58, spring 70 will automatically snap portion 64 into its upright position for the nighttime mode. Converting the ensemble back to the daytime mode requires manual lowering of secondary portion 64 till its clears beneath bolster 58 and the bottom of the top of table 56 as the bed unit is pivoted.

Turning now to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 79, a bed unit 80 supported on casters, not shown, is arranged to be pivotal about the front leg 82 of a table 34. In accordance with the invention, a bolster 86 is suitably supported in fixed relationship relative to the table 84. Furthermore, a headboard unit 83 includes a principal portion 90 horizontally swingably mounted to be pivotal about an axis 91 associated with the bedframe of bed unit 80, a secondary portion 92 being horizontally swingably mounted to the principal portion 90 by hinges 94. A spring 96 afiixed between portions 90 and 92 advantageously biases the portions 90 and 92 into coplanar relationship. Portions 90 and 92 are arranged to be of approximately the same size and dimension so that the parting line between the portions divides the headboard in a symmetrical manner.

As is indicated, the top of table 84 is arranged to be coplanar with the top of bolster 86. Additionally, headboard unit 88 is adapted to overlie, in vertical alignment, a sidewall 98 of table 84 in the daytime mode.

Accordingly, conversion of the ensemble of FIGS. 79 from the daytime mode to the nighttime is achieved by pivoting bed 80 about table leg 32. In the course of this transposition, headboard unit 88 will be opposed by bolster 86; and the force causing movement of bed unit 80 will result in a folding of the headboard unit 88 out to opposition with bolster 86, as is shown in broken outline in FIG. 8. When headboard unit 88 has cleared bolster 86, spring 96 will return the portions 90 and 92 to their coplanar relationship. Secondary portion 92 may be arranged to ride in tracks if so desired.

To return bed 80 from the nighttime mode to the daytime mode, it becomes necessary manually to retract or fold the secondary portion of the headboard. With the portion 92 so retracted, the bed unit 80 may be readily pivoted backwardly into the daytime position at which time the portion 92 may be released and spring 96 will cause it to snap back into its normal coplanar position.

Turning now to FIGS. 10l3, the embodiment of the invention shown there includes a, bed unit 100 supported on casters 102 and mounted to be pivotal about the front leg 104 of a table 106. A bolster 108 is secured to the table 106 and is suitably supported to overlie a side portion of the bed unit 100 in the daytime mode.

In this embodiment, a headboard unit 110 comprises a relatively large principal portion 112 and a relatively smaller secondary portion 114. As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the portion 112 is rigidly mounted to the bedframe 116 of bed unit 100 while the portion 114 is horizontally swingably mounted to portion 112 by a hinge 118. With particular reference to FIG. 13, a latch 120 includes a downwardly biased latch bolt 122 and an apertured, flanged bracket 124. Latch 120 is arranged to interconnect the portion 114 and an underlying section of the portion 112. Latch bolt 122 is secured to the portion 114, and the bracket 124 is secured to the portion 112 in one specific arrangement.

As is best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the principal portion 112 is provided with vertical, decorative grooves 126 which are adapted to cooperate with the vertical juncture between portions 114 and 112 in presenting a pleasant appearance.

In use, the ensemble of FIGS. 10-13 may be con! verted from the daytime mode to the nighttime mode by pivoting the bed unit 1120 about the table leg 104, the portion 114 being allowed to swing on the hinge 118 so as not to interfere with the bolster 108 in this transposition. Once the bed unit has been pivoted outwardly into its nighttime mode, portion 190 may be manually swung into coplanar relationship with the portion 114, in which position the latch may be secured. Thus, a headboard coextensive with the width of the bed unit 100 is provided.

When it is desired to return the bed unit 100 to its daytime mode, the latch 120 may be released and the portion 114 manually swung behind the portion 112 into the position noted in broken outline in FIGS. 11 and 12. As will be recognized, a duplicate of bracket 124 may be provided to locate portion 114 in this position if so desired. With the portion 114 disposed behind the portion 112, bed unit may be returned to its daytime mode.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made; and it is, therefore, contemplated to cover by the appended claims any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A convertible bed and end table combination comprising: end table means adapted to be disposed in a stationary position; a rollable bed unit pivotally mounted to said end table means for swinging in a horizontal are about a front leg thereof; bolster means rigidly arranged with respect to said end table means to overlie a side portion of said bed unit in the daytime mode of usage, said bolster means endwise confronting an anterior, lateral portion of said end table means spaced apart from said front leg; and headboard means mounted to the end of said bed unit which confronts said end table means, said headboard means having a longitudinal dimension substantially exceeding the space between said bolster means and said front leg, said headboard means including a principal portion disposed beneath the plane of the upper surface of said bed unit and a secondary portion vertically swingably mounted to said principal portion whereby to permit said secondary portion to be swung out of confronting relationship with said bolster means during repositioning of said bed unit allowing said headboard means to clear said bolster means.

2. A convertible bed and end table combination ac cording to claim 1 wherein said secondary portion is mounted to said principal portion by ofiset hinges for swinging away from said bed unit into the lowered position.

3. A convertible bed and end table combination according to claim 1 and further comprising latch means operative between said secondary and principal portions releasably to secure said portions in vertically aligned coplanar relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 162,492 Tarlazzi Mar. 13, 1951 512,901 Richardson Jan. 16, 1894 584,699 McCoy June 15, 1897 711,463 Beck Oct. 21, 1902 1,622,702 Brown Mar. 29, 1927 2,602,937 Frey July 15, 1952 2,686,096 Barnes Aug. 10, 1954 2,904,796 Frey Sept. 22, 19 59 

